ἀρήν
arḗn
G704 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Young sheep (lamb), specifically a young sheep as an animal, often used in sacrificial or pastoral contexts. The term generally denotes a lamb without specifying gender, though distinct from words denoting adult sheep.
Semantic Range
lamb (young sheep, either gender); sometimes a young ram; used for a young sheep in pastoral, sacrificial, or genealogical references; rarely as a metaphor
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: Possibly related to ἄῤῥην (arrhēn, 'male'), but more likely of pre-Greek or uncertain origin; some suggest a connection with words for lamb in other Indo-European languages, but the relationship is unclear. Etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ἀρήν refers specifically to a young sheep, that is, a lamb, typically distinguished from πρόβατον (probáton, generic 'sheep'), and ἀμνός (amnos, another word for 'lamb,' often used in sacrificial contexts). In the Septuagint, ἀρήν occurs as a rendering for Hebrew terms for 'lamb' (such as כֶּבֶשׂ, kebes), especially in sacrificial or genealogical passages. In the New Testament, ἀρήν is rare, with ἀμνός being more common for 'lamb' (especially in metaphorical and sacrificial senses). English translations consistently render ἀρήν as 'lamb,' but the Greek term emphasizes age (youngness) rather than sex or specific sacrificial use; it lacks the prominent symbolic and theological overtones attached to sacrificial lamb terminology (such as ἀμνός) in Christian tradition. The Strong's gloss's suggestion of a specifically male lamb is unsubstantiated by classical usage; the term denotes a young sheep of either gender unless explicit context demands otherwise. Not to be confused with the adjective ἄῤῥην ('male').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps the same as ἄῤῥην; a lamb (as a male):--lamb.
Root Family
ἀρήν (arēn) — lamb, young sheep
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G704-01 |
ἄρνας | arnas | N ACC M PL |
lambs | young sheep | young sheep | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G704-01 |
Luke 10:3 | ἄρνας | arnas | N ACC M PL |
lambs | young sheep | young sheep |